Malkangiri, 29th Aug 2025: Malkangiri district’s Chitrakonda block includes Panasput, Dhuliput, and Jantri Panchayats, which share borders with the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra has been trying to extend its influence by bringing border villages of Odisha under its control.
On the other hand, the border villages of Odisha are still deprived of development, forcing villagers to remain dependent on Andhra Pradesh for their livelihood and daily needs.
One such example is Dablaguda village under Panasput Panchayat. Around 30 families of the Paraja community reside in this village. Since the village is situated close to the Andhra border, people depend on Andhra Pradesh for almost everything. Even for small necessities like salt, they go to Andhra.
For many years, the Andhra government has been eyeing this village. Earlier, free electricity connections were provided, and they even attempted to provide other services, though some could not be implemented. While Panasput Panchayat headquarters in Odisha is around 7 km away, Andhra’s ASR district’s Gangaput Panchayat headquarters is only 500 meters away.
So, for any urgent need, people prefer going to Gangaput Panchayat rather than Panasput. The village has no school or Anganwadi center. Therefore, children have been enrolled in Kusumput School, 4 km away. However, due to the distance, regular attendance is a problem.
Although most villagers know Odia and tribal languages, they prefer to speak in Telugu. Even children answer in Telugu when asked questions in Odia. Villagers also admitted that they get daily-wage jobs more easily in Andhra.
A bridge has been built by the government over the nearby river, which now separates Andhra and Odisha. Crossing the bridge means entering Andhra territory, which has increased people’s dependence on Andhra instead of Odisha.
Basic facilities like education, healthcare, and transport have not been provided by Odisha. Many people remain excluded from housing schemes and pensions. If the administration does not take immediate action, the villagers will inevitably lean more towards Andhra Pradesh.
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